Extensible building column



June 19, 1962 R. c. YOUNG EXTENSIBLE BUILDING COLUMN Filed Dec. 21, 1959 IN V EN TOR.

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United States Patent "ice 3,039,731 EX'IENSIBLE BUILDING COLUMN Richard C. Young, Lebanon, Ohio, assignor to Engnauser Manufacturing Company, Inc., Lebanon, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Dec. 21, 1959, Ser. No. 860,815 3 Claims. (Cl. 248-354) This invention relates to ornamental iron columns which are used as supports for overhanging roof structures, and is particularly directed to a column of this character which is of simple, inexpensive construction.

Ornamental columns of this general type, conventionally fabricated from wrought iron, are extensively used in present day home construction to support the overhanging roof of a porch, car port, patio or the like with respect to a floor slab. The conventional column structure, in general, comprises upright load-bearing members in the form of solid metal bars or rods, combined with ornamental ironwork in the form of scrolls, geometric designs and other configurations. These columns are mounted in vertical position between the slab and the overhanding roof structure, the columns being usually disposed at the corners of the structure in right angular relationship, and also at intermediate points along the length of the structure. Since the distance between the slab and roof usually varies in fractions of an inch or more along the structure, it is necessary, in most cases, to out and lit the columns at the building site to provide a snug fit between the slab and roof. The custom fitting of the individual columns involves the expenditure of considerable time and effort and naturally increases the overall cost of the structure.

The present applicant recently developed an improved support column which i self-adjusting in length to permit installation between the slab and roof without cutting or fitting. This structure is disclosed in the co-pending application of Richard C. Young, Serial No. 819,591, to which attention is invited. Briefly, the column structure of the co-pending application comprises a pair of loadbearing tube having extensible studs telescopically interfitted within the tubes, the load-bearing tubes having means for locking the studs in an extended position. The outer ends of the extensible studs are provided with attachment plates welded thereto and arranged to seat against the roof structure, while the load-bearing tubes are provided with a bottom connector clip which is detachably connected to the lower ends of the load-bearing tubes at installation. When the column is installed, the studs are extended to bring the attachment plates into contact with the roof structure, then the studs are locked rigidly to the load-bearing tubes to support the load.

One of the primary objectives of the present invention has been to provide an extensible column of the type shown in the co-pending application, but in which the parts are of one-piece construction and less costly to manufacture.

Briefly, the present extensible column comprises parallel load-bearing tubes rigidly joined in spaced relationship by ornamental tie bars, the load-bearing tubes having extensible tubular studs telescopically interfitted into the end portions of the load-bearing tubes for length adjustment. The outer ends of the extensible studs and load-bearing tubes are provided with an integral foot or anchorplate which seats upon the slab and roof structure at top and bottom.

A further objective of the invention has been to provide a column structure of increased strength and rigidity, and which is capable of resisting forces acting laterall relative to the structure which is supported by the column.

$339,731 Patented June 19, 1952 According to this aspect of the invention, the foot or anchor plate is formed by flattening an endwise portion of the tubular member (load-bearing tube and extensible stud) to provide a flat plate having a thickness twice that of the tube wall. The fiat plate is then bent at right angles across the end of the tubular member, and during the bending operation, respective folds or gussets are formed at the juncture of the flat plate and the end of the tubular member, serving to reinforce the structure; The loaded bearing tubes are assembled by means of welded cross bars or ties, with the anchor plates projecting outwardly from opposite sides of the assembly. By virtue of this arrangement, the assembled column is able to resist lateral forces, such that the columns collectively provide an exceptionally rigid support for the roof structure. Moreover, the ends of the studs and load-bearing tubes reside in direct compression upon the anchor plates for rigid support of the load. The flattened end portions of the extensible studs and of the load-bearing tubes also.

provide a seal which prevents the entry of water and thus preserves the life of the structure.

In order to locate the column firmly between the slab and roof, each foot is provided with an aperture for the,

reception of a screw or other attachment device. At installation, with the roof or awning carried upon a temporary support structure, each column is located in position on the slab; the studs are extended to bring the anchor plates into facial engagement with the roof surface; then the screws are applied to the anchor plates or feet at top and bottom. Thereafter, an expansible rivet is installed through the wall of the load-bearing tube and stud to lock the two pieces permanently together, thereby to carry the weight load of the roof structure when the temporary supports are removed.

The column structure may also be installed in a reversed position to accommodate for local variation which may be present in the surface of the slab. In such cases, the upper ends of the load-bearing tubes are joined by screws through the feet to the roof structure and the studs are extended individually to bring the lower feet into contact with the slab surface. After the feet are anchored, the studs are locked to the load-bearing tubes through the use of expansible rivets, as noted above.

The various features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation illustrating the column structure of this invention mounted in load-bearing relation to an awning or overhanging roof structure.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the column structure, with parts broken away to illustrate the extensible connecting studs.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross section, showing the anchor plate, of one of the extensible studs, as viewed along line 33 of FIGURE 2. 7

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing the first step in forming the flattened foot or anchor plate of the extensible stud.

FIGURE 5.is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 3, showing the final step in forming the foot or anchor plate.

. FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6 of FIGURE 3, further detailing the anchor plate.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional View taken along line 77 of FIGURE 2, detailing the expanded rivet connection which locks the extensible top stud in its adjusted position relative to the load-bearing tube.

Referring to FIGURE 1, which illustrates the building column mounted in load bearing position, the overhanging structure 1 represents a porch roof or awning of 'with the load-bearing tubes.

conventional design, which projects outwardly from the wall of a building above a floor or concrete slab indicated at 2. The roof structure 1 is supported in relation to the slab by a series of extensible columns of the present invention, one of the columns being indicated generally at 3. The columns usually are mounted in pairs in right angular relationship at the corners of the structure, sometimes with additional columns mounted at intermediate points along the front and sides to support the weight load of the roof structure in compression.

The columns are also arranged to anchor the roof or awning structure against lift forces which are often developed during wind storms. For this purpose, the upper and lower ends of the columns are rigidly anchored to the roof structure and slab by means of respective upper and lower anchor plates or feet indicated generally at 4. The anchorage problem is particularly important with respect to relatively large aluminum awnings for patios and similar installations. Metal awnings of this type are light in weight in relation to their area; consequently, they develop high lift forces during wind storms, tending to tear the awning structure away. The lift forces as well as the weight load, are resisted by the extensible columns.

Each column assembly 3 comprises a pair of spaced parallel load-bearing tubes 55 (FIGURES l and 2) rigidly joined together by a series of tie bars 6, of right angular configuration, having opposite ends welded to the spaced load-bearing tubes 5. To impart an attractive appearance to the structure, the tie bars 6 are arranged in pairs one above the other and each pair includes a vertical bar 7 welded to the bars 6 and extending parallel The bars 6 and 7 are fabricated from tubular stock and the geometric arrangement imparts an attractive appearance to the column structure, while at the same time, rigidly joining the load-bearing tubes S5 in spaced relationship.

In order to facilitate installation, the upper end of each load-bearing tube 5 is provided with an extensible tubular stud 8, which is slidably interfitted into the end portion of the load-bearing tube. Upon installation of the column, the extensible studs are adjusted to accommodate the span between the floor slab and roof structure; the studs are then locked in adjusted position by an expansible rivet 10, as explained later in detail. The lower end of each load-bearing tube 5 and the outer end of each extensible stud 8 is provided with an anchor plate 4, as noted above, which forms an integral part thereof, the studs and tubes thereby being of one-piece construction.

The anchor plate 4 of the load-bearing tube 5 and of the stud 8 are both fabricated in the same manner and are substantial duplicates of one another. The flat plate on the extensible stud 8 (FIGURES 4 and 5) preferably is formed in a power press having suitable stamping dies or flat anvil surfaces. In order to prevent collapse .of the tube wall adjoining the flat plate, the external periphery of the tube adjacent the end to be flattened, is gripped firmly between a pair of form-fitting jaws which are located outwardly of the stamping dies. The formfitting jaws are shiftable in a plane at right angles to the path of motion of the stamping dies and are closed in advance of the stamping operation. As the stamping dies shift toward one another, they flatten the end portion of the tube and also form the end walls 13-13; however, since'the form-fitting jaws prevent expansion of the tube adjacent the end walls 13, no deformation of the cylindrical tube occurs during the stamping operation.

' After'the fiat plate 12 is formed as in FIGURE 4,

' the anchorage plate is bent at right angles to the axis of the tube, as shown in FIGURE 5. As theflat plate 12 is bent, the end wall sections 13-13 are reformed as shown in FIGURE 5, thereby sealing oif the end of the tube. As viewed'in FIGURE 3, the plate 4 has a width greater than the diameter of the tube by reason of the flat disposition of the cylindrical wall, thus providing a substantial load-bearing area. After bending operation, an aperture 14 is drilled through the plate 12 for the reception of an anchor screw, which is applied when the column assembly is installed.

The foot 4 of each load-bearing tube is formed in the same manner as outlined above utilizing form-fitting dies suited to the larger diameter of the load-bearing tube. As viewed in FIGURE 2, the lower foot is somewhat wider and longer than the upper foot in proportion to the diameter of the tube from which it is formed. After forming the lower foot, it is provided with a similar aperture 14 for the reception of a mounting screw. The upper end of each load-bearing tube is also provided with an aperture 16 (FIGURE 2) for the reception of the rivet 19 at installation, as explained later.

The portion of the fiat plate 12 adjacent the ends walls 13 of the tube is doubled upon itself as the flat plate is bent to its right angular position, thus creating folds or gussets 17 at diametrically opposite sides of the tube (FIGURE 6). These folds are compressed between dies after the plate is bent to its right angular position, so as to lie in facial engagement with the plate and stiffen the anchor plate relative to its tubular member.

It will be noted in FIGURE 5, that the flat plate 12 passes across the end of the tube and thus forms a loadbearing area at the end of the tube. When the column is installed between the slab and roof, the weight load acts in compression through the load-bearing tubes and studs, the opposite ends of which reside in compression against the anchor plates at top and bottom. Moreover, the ends of the load-bearing tubes and studs act as a backing to reinforce the anchor plates against forces acting in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIGURE 5.

The load-bearing tubes are rigidly joined together by the tie bars 6, wtih the anchor plates 4 projecting outwardly in opposite directions. Accordingly, upon installation as shown in FIGURE .1, each assembled column provides a rigid structure which resists forces tending to shift the roof structure laterally with respect to the slab. The columns collectively provide an extremely rigid support for the roof or awning structure.

The columns are furnished to the user ready for installation without the usual cutting or fitting, since the extensible connector studs 8 accommodate variations in slab to roof dimensions which are encountered from one job to'another. The assembled columns are located at the building site with the awning or roof structure carried upon temporary supports. At installation, each column is placed in upright position between the slab and roof and the studs 8 are extended so as to place the anchor plates 4 in bearing engagement with the roof structure, thereby to locate the centers for the upper and lower mounting screws 18 and 20.

In order to anchor the lower plates 4, respective sockets are formed in the concrete slab to receive conventional expansion plugs 21, into which the screws are threaded. Thereafter, with the upper and lower screws 18 and 20 in place, an aperture is drilled into each stud 8 by placing the end of the drill into the aperture 16 at the upper portion of the load-bearing tubes, so as to provide matching holes; The expansible rivets 10 are then inserted into the matching apertures and expanded, as explained below.

The rivets 10 are of a commercial type (FIGURE 7) comprising a head 22, a shank 23 and-an internal drive pin 24. As furnished to the user, the drive pin projects outwardly beyond the head 22, and the shank 23 has a of columns are thus installed, the temporary supports are removed so as to transfer the weight load of the roof structure to the columns.

Although the column is illustrated and described with the extensible stud 8 disposed at the upper end, it may be necessary to reverse the position of the column under certain conditions. By way of example, variations may occur in the surface of the floor slab which would make it impossible to mount the column in perpendicular position with both anchor plates 4 seated upon the slab. By reversing the column end for end, the studs 8 extend downwardly to the slab and may be adjusted individually to compensate for the irregularities in the surface of the slab. After the rivets are installed and the temporary support structure removed, the weight load will be evenly divided between the two load-bearing tubes.

Having described my invention, 1 claim:

1. An extensible column for supporting an overhead roof structure relative to a floor slab or the like comprising, a pair of load-bearing tubes each having a relatively thin cylindrical wall, cross members joining said tubes rigidly in spaced parallel relationship, an extensible stud having a relatively thin cylindrical wall telescopically i-nterfitting an endwise portion of each load-bearing tube, each stud having aportion projecting outwardly beyond the end of said load-bearing tube, an endwise portion of the stud being flattened and providing an anchor plate projecting from the end portion of the stud at right angles to the axis thereof, said anchor plate being integral with the cylindrical Wall of the stud, said anchor plate having fold portions integral with the end of the cylindrical wall of the stud and doubled over upon the anchor plate, said fold portions extending outwardly and joined to the outer edges of the anchor plate at opposite sides, said fold portions providing a rigid connection adapting the anchor plate to resist angular deflection relative to the stud, the end portion of each load-bearing tube opposite said stud having an anchor plate projecting therefrom at right angles to the axis of the load-bearing tube, said column adapted to be interfitted in upright position between the floor slab and roof structure with said studs extended and with the anchor plates seated against the floor slab and roof structure, and means for locking said extensible studs relative to the load-bearing tubes, thereby adapting the column to carry the weight load of the roof structure.

2. An extensible column for supporting an overhead roof structure relative to a floor slab or the like comprising, a pair of load-bearing tubes each having a cylindrical wall, cross members joining said tubes rigidly in spaced parallel relationship, an extensible stud having a. cylindrical wall telescopically interfitting an endwise portion of each load-bearing tube, each stud having a portion projecting outwardly beyond said load-bearing tube, each of said studs and the opposite ends of the load-bearing tubes being flattened and providing an anchor plate, said anchor plates passing diametrically across the ends of the studs and tubes and extending outwardly at right angles beyond the periphery thereof, each anchor plate having a width substantially greater than the diameter of the studs and having fold portions integral with the end of the cylindrical wall and doubled over upon the anchor plate, said fold portions extending outwardly and joined to the outer edges of the anchor plate at opposite sides, said fold portions providing a rigid connection adapting the anchor plates to resist angular deflection relative to the studs and tubes, said column adapted to be interfitted in upright position between the floor slab and roof structure with said telescopic studs extended and with the anchor plates seated against the floor slab and roof structure, and means for locking said extensible studs relative to the load-bearing tubes, thereby adapting the column to carry the weight load of the roof structure with the ends of said studs and load-bearing tubes residing in direct compression against the anchor plates.

3. An extensible column for supporting an overhead roof structure relative to a floor slab or the like comprising, a pair of load-bearing tubes each having a cylindrical wall, cross members joining said tubes rigidly in spaced parallel relationship, an extensible stud having a cylindrical wall telescopically interfitting an endwise portion of each load-bearing tube, each stud having a portion projecting outwardly beyond said load-bearing tube, each of said studs and the opposite ends of the load-bearing tubes being flattened and providing an anchor plate, said anchor plates passing diametrically across the ends of the studs and tubes and extending outwardly at right angles beyond the periphery thereof, each anchor plate having a Width substantially greater than the diameter of the studs and having fold portions integral with the end of the cylindrical wall and doubled over upon the anchor plate, said fold portions extending outwardly and joined to the outer edges of the anchor plate at opposite sides, said fold portions providing a rigid connection adapting the anchor plates to resist angular deflection relative to the studs and tubes, the anchor plates of the studs and loadbearing tubes projecting outwardly from opposite sides of the column, said column adapted to be interfitted in upright position between the floor slab and roof structure with said telescopic studs extended and with the anchor plates seated against the floor slab and roof structure, and means for locking said extensible studs relative to the load-bearing tubes, thereby adapting the column to carry the weight load of the roof structure with the ends of said studs and load-bearing tubes residing in direct compression against the anchor plates, said cross members and outwardly projecting anchor plates imparting rigidity to the column adapting the column to resist forces which act laterally against the columns in a plane passing through said load-bearing tubes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,231,914 Kunkel July 3, 1917 1,676,824 Goodrich July 10, 1928 2,450,958 Hayes Oct. 12, 1948 2,543,175 Kilgore Feb. 27, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 134,668 Austria Sept. 11, 1933 

